The Irish standard., 1887-02-12
forge, the most apt illustration that
could bedesired Of the hedge-school dog

gerel
"a man without learning, and wearing fine
clothes,
| Is like pig with gold ring in his nose."
such being-leading after him a fine
gelding, caparisoned in the finest style,
and looking great deal more worthy OF
those fine accoutrements than it's master
such being, attired in full, snow
white wig, forming frieze, Of which a
shining jet black, soft-furred hat Of the
best Limerick manufacture was the cap
ital-a smart, howered silk waistcoat,
and fine green coat, with silver hilted
sword and tight, plush breeches, the
shaft-and a pair OF bright, shining,
clicked silk stockings, with shoes, and
gigantic silver buckles, the PEDESTAL
such being so fine, so vulgar-issued
like a meteor out OF bog, from the
smoke and vapor of the miniature Htna
of this Munster Vulcan.
"That is very odd what you tell me, "
he exclaimed in long, County Cork
drawl, .'bnt I'm sure it ism 'ttrue foryou.
1 don't mean to doubt your word, but
you can't say you have told me the truth
+ know the rogue is in this neighbor-
hood, and I'll find him too, you may be
sure''
"Where did your honor see him?''
asked the smith, suspenaing his sledge-
hammer in the hollow OF his sooty arm.
while lie directed his eyes to the newly
shod feet OF the ge]aing. because if
it be long sence, there's but O. Flemish
account q the two O them by this
time.''
Hang the fellow, and his stupid eyes,
they would have imposed upon q Jew,
let alone 81 County Cork grazier. His
gifts, as he calls them! Wait till I get
a vacancy at him, TIL git him, so I will
Forty pounds, STRIP he continued, turn
ing round, in the commr1nicativeness Of
passion, to Shine, who had just ridden
up, ana was beginning to listen with 81
cruel anxiety and interest to his COM
plants "forty pounds the fellow cheated
me Of, for such trash as this!" holding
out several ingots, on one of which
quantity OF virdigris had collected,
which, combining instantly, and by a
vivid association OF IDEAS with 1Aaney's
memorable parting leer, showed like q
horrid spectre in the eyes Of the
preacher.
"Haye yol1 tried them, sir?" he asked
in a faint and failing voice, while big
drops Of Precipitation began to sparkle
on his nose and forehead.
''Try 'em?'' exclaimed the man OF the
white wig, "why, sir, looh?" and with
great agility he whipped a small bottle
Of aquafortis from his t]appea pocket,
uncorked it with his teeth, and poured s.
little on the metal. A sudden simmer
ing, and then q daak steam arising, LETT
no spell to raise the ghost Of doubt
upon the quality Of the ingot.
'It's not gold, ] believe" +" said Mr..
Shine, mournfully.
Gold!" shouted he Of the silver buck
les, s:sir, tbs not only brass, but bad
brass!"
"The same goold that's in the copper
kettles" said the smith, grinning
through his black lips.
"N7ho gave it-to--you?" asked the
preacher, hesitetingiy, his hand wander
ing fearfully about Che pocket in which
he had deposited his own treasure.
'poh! poh! I'm ashamed to tell you
but il was long, stupid fellow, with a
story Of an old abbey, and his landlord,
and his royalty, and I can't Know how
much trash besides-One Nancy O'Neil,
the greatest rogue unchanged i'll Nun
ster, and that $ bold word,''
Mr.. Shine groaned audibly He need
not have bll1shed, however, at finding
himself fooled by man, who had. with
the same tale, imposed upon men OF
rank and learning far superior to his.
''A fellow that travels about in COM
pany with q Dublin clea' boy, named
Awney Farrell continued the COM
plainant, ''a sharp-faced young-ha
---'' be paused as his eyes fell on the
guide, whe stood close at his elbow.
INSTEAD of appearing at all discon-
certed, Awney blin]Sed invltingly with
his eyes, tossed his head back, and
beekoned the gentleman Of the silver
hilt to step aside with him. The latter
followed in some brow-knitting sus-
picion and hesitation, which, however,
began to dissipate and brighten up un-
der the influence Of the information,
whatever it was, that the guide was con-
veying to him with an infinite deal of
gesture and grimace. They often looked
and nodded their heads towards Shine,
who remained fixed in an attitude of as
much horror as SO fat man could as